The Saints take on the Washington Redskins on Monday Night Football this week. This will be the 27th meeting between the two teams. The Redskins currently have the bragging rights Cheap Tyeler Davison Youth Jersey , leading the series 17-9, but the Saints did win the last game in 2017 with a big comeback in the 4th quarter.As far as connections between the two teams, there are plenty — and here we highlight some of the more noticeable ones.PlayersWashington RB Robert Kelley both played for New Orleans Senior Offensive Assistant/Wide Receivers Curtis Johnson at Tulane University, when Johnson served as head coach of the Green Wave. Washington G Tony Bergstrom and DT Stacy McGee played for New Orleans Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen with the Oakland Raiders when he served as head coach. Washington RB Adrian Peterson played for New Orleans in 2017. Peterson was also teammates in Minnesota with QB Teddy Bridgewater and FB Zach Line. New Orleans DT Sheldon Rankins and Washington T Christian Geron Sr. and LB Josh Harvey-Clemons were college teammates at Louisville. New Orleans S Kurt Coleman, WR Ted Ginn Jr. and LB A.J. Klein played with Washington CB Josh Norman in Carolina. New Orleans G Josh LeRibeus was a third round draft pick of Wash- ington in 2012 out of Southern Methodist and spent his first four NFL seasons with the club, appearing in 28 regular season games with 12 starts along the offensive line and appearing in two more postseason contests.Coaches/Front OfficeNew Orleans offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael served as a quality control coach in Washington in 2001. Saints Special Teams Coordinator Bradford Banta served as Washington’s assistant special teams coach from 2014-16.New Orleans Head Coach Sean Payton tutored Hilliard when he served as offensive coordinator of the New York Giants from 1999- 2002. Payton and Washington Assistant Head Coach/ Offensive Line Bill Callahan served on the same Philadelphia Eagles coaching staff from 1997-98. Could the Saints add a defensive playmaker to their young secondary early in the draft?"Thornhill played at Altavista H.S in Virginia, where he was an all-state defensive star and quarterback that led his squad to two state titles. He stayed close to home for college, choosing the University of Virginia, where he saw action in nine games as a true freshman. Thornhill became a starter at cornerback during his sophomore season for the Cavaliers New Orleans Saints Kaden Elliss Jersey , had seven pass breakups and led the team with 3 interceptions in 11 starts. He started all twelve of the Cav's games as a junior in 2017, intercepting 4 passes, breaking up 12, and amassing 4.5 tackles for loss. Thornhill moved predominantly to safety as a senior last season and earned All-ACC honors, as he intercepted 6 passes (tied for third in FBS), broke up seven passes, and led Virginia with 98 tackles. Over three years as a starter and one of the leaders of the Cavaliers defense, he intercepted 13 passes (22nd in ACC history), totaled 206 tackles (12 for loss) New Orleans Saints Kaden Elliss Jersey , had 1.5 sacks, and was credited with 26 passes defensed. Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY SportsThornhill showcased his unique athleticism at last month's NFL Scouting Combine. He ran 4.42 in the 40, fifth among all participating safeties. His 44 inch vertical jump was the best among all participants at the Combine, as was his 141 inch broad jump. NFL.com comparison: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (Bears)Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY SportsThornhill is an explosive athlete with the coverage versatility and prototypical size that NFL teams covet. His leaping ability and combative nature allows him to hold his own in 50/50 balls against receivers. He challenges receivers in man coverage, particularly in the slot, and can match up with most athletically. Thornhill possesses good recognition of opposing pass routes, as well as the natural reaction to the ball in the air and the speed to close quickly and make a play. He is equally effective in zone with eyes on the play in front of him or in man coverage with back initially to the play without getting lost in transition to the ball. He even showed some skill as an off the ball linebacker in some alignments at Virginia, exploding between gaps in blocking to pursue plays into the backfield. Amber Searls-USA TODAY SportsHe isn't a big hitter as a tackler, sometimes struggling inside the tackle box Cheap Kaden Elliss Youth Jersey , and needs to show more effort in disengaging from a blocker. His aggressiveness in coverage can also leave him vulnerable to double moves or play action fakes. Thornhill is rocketing up draft boards recently though, even being projected by some as a late first or early second round pick, but almost certainly cementing himself as no later than a Day Two selection. His ability to play corner or safety will be a major asset to the franchise that drafts him. His longterm success seems to be at safety, where his versatility, athleticism, and ball skills could make him an immediate impact player.
